Motor control system



July 2, 1940.

J. v. CAPUT o MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM.

Filed July 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J y 1940- J. v. CAPUTO 6,496

- MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM 1 Filed July 25, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July '2,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEv Application July 25,

6 Claims.

This is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 678,425, filed June 30, 1933, which matured into Patent No. 2,052,965 on September 1, 1936.

This invention relates to a control system for motors, and, in particular, for a plurality of motors driving mechanisms simultaneously operat- 'ing on a common-workpiece. A multi-stand continuous mill for forming flat skelp into tube blanks is a typical example of installations which I-have in mind and, while the invention will be described with particular reference to this example, it will be understood that it may be applied also to other similar installations.

The setting up of a forming mill is a rather delicate operation. Such mills usually comprise a relatively large number of roll stand, which have heretofore been driven from a common shaft. Briefly, the procedure has been to move a piece of skelp longitudinally through the several forming stands successively.

The drives heretofore used for forming mills have not been particularly well adapted for such installations, since they did not provide the flexibility desired. This was found to be true even when individual motors were used for driving the stands. Such flexibility demands the ability to drive a plurality of motors in either direction and to control their speeds simultaneously to the same degree, and the ability to keep the motors-properly synchronized to prevent damage to the work as by scoring, stretching, buckling or even breaking, when the system is used to control motors driving machines fabricating material having little mechanical strength, such as paper.

I have invented a drive for a multi-stand mill including a motor for each stand and a motor control system which is capable of simultaneously starting the motors, operating them in synchronism in either direction with variable acceleration or deceleration, and stopping them very quickly by regenerative braking. The system further permits the speed of each motor to be adjusted independently to compensate for wear on the rolls. I also provide means for preventing the connection of any motor to its source of current 4 if the voltage of the latter is above a predetermined magnitude.

1936, Serial No. 92,595

matically a present preferred embodiment. In the drawings,

Fig. 1A and Fig. 13, when placed side by side, together constitute a diagrammatic showing of the apparatus and circuits involved.

Referring first only generally to the elements controlling its connection to the generator A. 1

These buttons are indicated at 4, 4" and 4", and are of the type that may be looked in the in position after they have been pressed, by giving them a slight turn. Each motor, furthermore, has a speed matching device (shown at 5, 5 and 5"). These speed matchers are well known, and therefore need no detailed description. It is suilicient to state that each of them comprises a machine similar to a polyphase wound-rotor induction motor. The stator of the machine isconnected to one source of alternating current, and the rotor to the other which it is desired to match with the first. Any difference in the frequencies causes a mechanical movement which can be taken advantage of to adjust the frequency to be matched with the other. In the present instance, the speed matchers serve to vary the excitation of the field windings oi the motors I, 2 and 3, shown at F, F and F".

For supplying alternating current to one of the windings of the speed matchers, alternating current generators 8, 6' and 6" are driven by the motors I, 2 and 3 through a variable speed drive, such as a Reeves belt drive indicated diagrammatically at R. The other windings of the speed matchers are energized by a variable frequency generator I driven/by a motor 'I'. The motor I like the motors I, 2. and 3 is supplied with th current by the generator A.

The voltage 01' the generator A is controlled by motor-operated rheostats' 8 and 9. A sequence switch Ill prevents reversal of the polarity of the generator A until the excitation of the generator field has been reduced to a minimum. A voltage relay II and a contact I2 actuated by the rheostat 8 further control the operation of the system in a manner to be explained more fully later. Holding relays Il-and I4 cooperate with the sequence switch Il. These relays ,are mechanically or otherwise interlocked to prevent simultaneous operation of both of them.

' The speed of the motor 1', and therefore the frequency of the generator 1, is controlled by a rheostat l5. Limit switches l6 and i6 control the motor operating the rheostat 8. Push buttons l8 and I8 control the motor operating the rheostats 9 and IS.

A master controller I9 permits the motors to be manually started in either direction and stopped. An exciter bus 20 supplies excitation current to the field windings of the motors l, 2 and 3. A variable voltage bus 2| delivers current from the generator'A to the armatures of the motors. A variable frequency bus 22 delivers alternating current from the generator i to one side of the speed matchers 5, 5 and 5". The machines driven by the motors l, 2 and 3 are indicated at 23, 23' and 23". A rheostat 26 permits adjustment of the value of the voltage on the bus 2| necessary to lock out any individual motor. Rheostats 25 and 28 permit manual adjustment of the degree of acceleration and deceleration of themotors 2 and 3. The motor driving the rheostats 9 and i5 is shown at 2'! and has forward and reverse field windings 21F and 21R. The motor driving the rheostatii is shown at 28. It has forward and reverse field windings 28F and 28R.

The remainder of the apparatus and the novel details of parts not already known will be described in the course of the following explanation of a complete cycle of operations.

When it is desired to enter a workpiece into the forming apparatus, push butmns 4 and 4' are operated and locked in. Motor I may, for example. be connected to drive the pinch rolls which feed the skelp into the first forming stand. Motor 2 may be connected to the first forming stand, motor 3 to the second forming stand, and other similar motors to the remaining stands. The rheostat 8 is normally in the position shown, with limit switch l6 open and limit switch l6 closed. The contact I2 is likewise open, and the contacts of relay closed. The rheostats 9 and I5 may be in any position, as they merely determine the operating speed to which the motors' will be set. The master controller is then moved to the forward position indicated by the dotted line F. This closes a circuit from one side of the exciter bus 28 through finger a, segments b and c and finger d of the controller l9, rheostat 26, limit switch 5', forward field winding 28F and motor 28 to the other side of the bus 20.

The motor 28 operates a bar 28a through a rack and pinion drive 2812. The bar has fingers 28c and 2811 for operating the limit switches l8 and I6. It also has a slot 28e for operating the sequence switch l through a ratchet and pawl drive 289. Thebar 28a also has a slot 28h for operating the contact l2. energized, operates to shift the rheostat 8 to reduce the resistance in series with the field winding 29 of the generator A. When the rheostat has reached its extreme position, the limit switch I6 is opened. The switch l6 is closed shortly D after the motor 28 starts, but has no efiect until the controller is restored to neutral position. This deenergizes the motor 28. closed by this operation of the rheostat 8. A

circuit is also closed through segment e, finger f,

the coilof relay l3, the sequence switch l8, and thence to the other side of the exciter bus 20. Relay 3 closes its contacts and completes a circuit through the operating coil 30F of a contacsame time as motor The motor 28, when Contact I2 is tor 30 which close's its contacts 38a and 3813) connecting the field 29 of the generator A in such manner as .to cause it to generate voltage of a predetermined polarity on the bus 2|.

The sequence switch i0 comprises a plurality of contact segments |8a insulated from each other but connected to a common conductor. A contact wiper or finger i022 is adapted to be actuated from one segment to the next on operation of the ratchet and pawl drive 289. The circuitthrough the sequence switch is established by a. brush |0c engaging a contact ring from which the finger lllb projects, and this circuit is broken momentarily on advancement of the finger |0b from one segment to the next.

The voltage across the bus 2| resulting from the energization of the field 28 energizes "the relay Before the relay H is energized, however, the closure of the contacts |2 has completed a circuit through contact 4:): of the push button 4, the contacts of relay II, the contact |2, contact 42 of the push button 4, and the operating coil of a relay 34 to the other side of the exciter bus 20. The relay 34 has locked itself in and completed a circuit for the operating coil of a contactor 3| which connects the armature of motor to the bus 2|. The circuit for the relay 34 will not be completed unless the contacts of relay II and switch |2 are closed.

The motor 1 is connected to the bus 2| soit and the motors and 2 start as the voltage on the bus 2| builds up, motor 2 being connected to the bus 2| in the same manner, and at the Motors and 2 will operate in synchronism therewith, the speeds of the motors being governed by the frequency on the bus 22. If either motor tends to vary from its definite speed setting, its speed matcher will vary the resistance in the field circuit, to compensate for the speed variation, until the frequency of its auxiliary generators (6,15' and 6") matches that of the variable frequency bus 22. The s eeds of the motors are definitely set by the rheos ats 9 and I5, and the motors can be accelerated or decelerated together by operating these rheostats. The rheostat 9, of course, varies the excitation of the generator A while the rheostat varies the speed of the motor 1' driving the variable frequency generator 1. The rheostats 9 and I5 are constructed to operate in sequence, 1. e., after one has effected the full adjustment of which it is capable, the other comes into operation.

To stop the mbtors and .2, it is only necessary to move the controller l9 back to the illustrated position; The finger f disengages the segment e, but relay l8 remains locked in. A circuit is completed from segment b through finger y, rheostat 25, limit switch l6, field Winding 28R and motor 28, causing the latter to reset the rheostat 8 to the position of maximum resistance. When the rheostat reaches its extreme position, the sequence switch I8 is operated. This momentarlly breaks the circuit of holding relay l3.

The deenergization of the latter opens'the cir the bus 2| disappears with the opening of the field 29 of the generator A, deenergizing relay and permitting it to close its contacts. The armatures of motors I and 2, however, remain connected to the bus 2|.

While restoration of the controller l9 to off position opens the energizing circuit for the relay I3, the latter remains energized, being self-holding, until the circuit through the sequence switch I0 is temporarily opened. This does not occur until the rheostat 8 has been restored to the allresistance-in position. The circuit for the relay I3, of course, cannot be reestablished until the master controller is again operated When the controller is restored to the off position, the momentum of the moving parts tends to drive the motors I, 2 and 3, operating them as generators to supply current to the generator A, operating it as a motor to drive the motor M as a generator. The degree of deceleration of the system accomplished by this regenerative braking will depend on the excitation of the fields of the motors and the generator; Varying the speed of the motor 28 driving the rheostat 8 will also change the rate of deceleration, the faster the movement of the rheostat, the greater the rate of deceleration. To further increase the rate of deceleration, the rheostat 9 can be operated, to increase the excitation of the motor I and decrease the voltage of the generator A successively. The speed matching devices 5, 5' and 5" keep all the motors synchronized regardless of the rate of deceleration employed.

If it is desired to reverse the motors I, 2 and3,

this may be accomplished by moving the master controller I9 to the position indicated by the dotted line B. This operation completes a circuit from one side of the exciter bus 20 through finger a, segment b, segment 71 andfinger d of the controller to rheostat 26. as in the caseof the forward movement of the controller. Another circuit is closed through the segment i and finger 7' to energize the relay I4, and thence through the sequence switch ID. The relay I4 operates and locks itself in. The operating coil 32R of the field reversing contactor 30 closes its contacts 300 and 30d, to connect the generator field 29 in circuit with the rheostats 8 and 9, but with its'terminals interchanged as compared to the forward operation. The polarity of the generator A is thus reversed, and the motors I and 2, as well as the motor 1, start in the reverse direction, accelerating as the rheostat 8 is operated.

The motors will eventually attain the same speeds at which they are operating in the forward directions, unless an adjustment of the rheostats 9 and I5 is made. The stopping of the motors is accomplished in the manner already described.

The rheostats 25 and 26 permit the rates of acceleration and deceleration to be varied. The rheostat 24 is for the purpose of adjusting the voltage required to operate the look-out relay I I. Mechanical adjustment of the relay may be used instead. If one of the motors. such as the motor I, is disconnected from the bus 2|. e. g., by releasing the push button 4, the relay prevents it from being reconnected to the bus by resetting the button. until the voltage on the bus has dropped below the value necessary to-operate the relay since the contacts of the relay II are in series with the original energizing circult of the relay 34. which controls the contactor 3|. The contact I2 likewise prevents the motor I from being reconnected to the bus 2| until the rheostat 8 has been moved to the all-resistancein" position. It will be understood that the relay I controls the energizing circuits of the relays.

34, 34' and 34" associated with the motors 2 and 3 in the manner already described referring to relay 34 and motor I.

As long as the push buttons 4, 4 and 4" are held in closed position, the motors start as soon as sufllcient voltage appears across the bus 2|. If any push button has been left in the 01? position, it will be impossible to start the motor controlled by it so long as the voltage across the bus 2| is above a predetermined value. Such motor will be started with the others only after the other motors have been decelerated, as by moving the controller I9 to the off position.

The invention described greatly facilitates the setting up of a multi-stand mill. In accordance with the invention this result is accomplished as follows: The workpiece is advanced to the first roll stand, by a pair of feeding-in pinch rolls for example, and is driven through the stand by the driving motor thereof. The motors for driving the remaining stands are rendered inoperative by releasing their push buttons similar to 4, 4' and 4". When the leading end of the piece has passed through the first stand, it is stopped and inspected. If the desired degree of forming has been accomplished, the workpiece is moved forward to the next stand which is caused to be driven by operating its push button 4", and having passed therethrough is again stopped and inspected. If the proper amount of forming has not been effected after passage of the piece through each stand, the piece must be backed out of that stand by reversing the driving motors, the rolls thereof adjusted, and the piece fed therethrough again. This procedure is repeated until the piece has passed entirely through the mill, and the mill is then ready for continuous operation in the forming of successive skelp lengths.

Even after the mill has been set up, however, there may be occasions for when it isdesirable to stop the mill, reverse it, or operate it in either direction at creeping speed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides a highly useful control system for a plurality of motor driving apparatus engaging a single workpiece. The motors may be simultaneously started, stopped and reversed, accelerated and decelerated, and perfect synchronism or maintenance of desired speed ratios is assured at all times. The speed of each individual motor may be adjusted or the speeds of all motors may be varied simultaneously. As stated, the invention greatly facilitates the setting/hp of a multi-stand forming mill, as well as the routine operation thereof. It is particularly useful when a mill is to be set for a size of product different from that previously made. The rolls of the first stand may be adjusted or changed and the material can be fed thereinto to check the adjustment or change, while the rolls of the second stand are being adjusted or changed, and this sequence continued until all stands have been changed and checked. The motors normally driving the stands being adjusted or changed are rendered inoperative by releasing their push buttons 4, 4' and 4". Since the motors are driven at proper relative speeds at all times, scoring or buckling of the material is avoided. Quick reversal of the master controller cannot cause any injury to the system because the rheostat 9 automatically reduces the voltage on the bus 2| gradually, and reversal thereof is prevented until the voltage has dropped below predetermined value.

While I have illustrated and described herein but one preferred embodiment of the invention,

changes therein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A control system for a plurality of motors comprising a variable-voltage current source connected to said motors, means for controlling the voltage of said source, means separate from said voltage-control means, for reversing said motors simultaneously, said motor-reversing means and voltage-control means being interlocked to prevent reversal of the motors until the speed of said motors has been reduced to a predetermined safe value. a

2. In a control system for a plurality of motors, a common current source therefor, a switch for connecting each motor to said source, means for closing said switches, and means for preventing operation of said switch-closing means when the voltage of said sourceis above a predetermined value.

3. In a control system for a plurality of motors, a variable-voltage current source therefor, means for varying the voltage of said source to vary the speed of said'motors simultaneously, and

means for maintaining the speeds of said motors at predetermined ratios, said last-mentioned means including a master frequency generator, individual speed-control means for each motor, speed matchers for controlling the motor speeds individually in accordance with said frequency,

and a unitary control device effective to vary the voltage of said source and the frequency of said masterfrequency generator individually and successively in a predetermined order.

4. A control system for a plurality of motors including a variable-voltage source of current common to said motors, means for simultaneously varying the speeds of all said motors, a master controller for starting and stopping said motors, means responsive to said controller for varying the voltage of said source, independent means actuated by said controller for reversing said motors, and means interlocking the voltage control means and the reversing means to prevent reversing of said motors in response to operation of said master controller until the voltage of said source is below a predetermined safe value.

5. In a work-feeding means, a plurality of auxiliary motors driving said means, individual means for varying the speeds of the motors, a-

common generator for supplying energy to the motors, means for varying the voltage of said generator, means for connecting said motors to said generator, and means for preventing any of said motors from being connected to said generator so long as any substantial voltage exists across the generator.

6. In a work-feeding means, a plurality of auxiliary motors driving said means, individual means for varying the speeds of the motors, a common generator for supplying energy to the motors, means for varying the voltage of said generator, means for connecting said motors to said generator, and means for preventing any of said motors from being connected to said generator while thevoltage thereof exceeds a predetermined value, said last-mentioned means being ineii'ective when the generator voltage is below said value.

' JAMES V. CAPUTO. 

